CAL GRANT PROGRAM IS A GREAT INVESTMENT

“Over time, it is possible that increased costs at the public institutions could outstrip Cal Grant savings from students at the private institutions, resulting in an overall increase in state costs,” said the report, which added that the governor’s proposal “could reduce access and depress overall graduation rates.”

The fact is that nonprofit colleges and universities provide the state excellent value for its Cal Grant money. More than 70 percent of Cal Grant students graduate from private, nonprofit schools within four years. Students at nonprofit schools such as PLNU and USD have smaller class sizes; they get the classes they need to graduate and close attention from advisers to keep them on track.

This means students at private, nonprofit institutions are able to join the workforce sooner and help build California’s economy.

For all of these reasons – preserving access to higher education for deserving students, making the most of our state’s limited educational dollars and creating a pool of educated workers to help fuel California’s economic recovery – the Legislature and governor should drop any plans to cut the successful Cal Grant program.

Brower is president of Point Loma Nazarene University; Lyons is president of University of San Diego; Cafferty is president of San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation; Mudd is chair of the education committee, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.